Kara Gruss, Babbidge Construction Co.Education is imperative to our industry and it’s never ending. But there are only so many hours in a day to get the job done so all too often necessary education takes a back seat. That is until the year is almost over and you have to scramble to satisfy all of your disciplines’ Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Or how about those of you that are new to our industry that need to better understand common rhetoric and how the disciplines feed each other and work collectively? The point is that no one has the time or they don’t really know specialized education is available.
The Construction Institute at the University of Hartford has been providing outstanding educational programming for years but it’s been kept a secret, until now! And it’s only going to get better.
We are creating cross industry participation, addressing gaps in industry education that were never organizationally provided and we are changing our delivery methods to suit logistical participation needs with blended learning opportunities. We have provided online workshop and remote access to live classroom participation with great success. But most importantly, we are the platform that will get everyone talking to one another and learning from each other. This is multidisciplinary fluency and we are leading the conversation.
Our classes are taught by industry experts, draw participants from all aspects of the industry and offer a range of CEUs, including AIA learning units. We offer certificate programs in facilities management, project management, and construction management that can help you advance your career.
Melinda George, project coordinators at Weston Associates, Inc., is one professional who has been building her professional credentials at the Construction Institute said, “The knowledge I have gained from the Construction Institute has been immeasurably valuable in my career. I am almost done with my Project Management Certificate and I was able to participate in this program using the online technology that is offered. I truly felt like I was a part of the live classroom discussion all the while being remote. With a lot of real estate construction projects happening at my firm, I was able to apply what I have learned in the real world. The program is very affordable and I would highly recommend this to anyone at any level of their career.” Melinda has been so inspired by the training she received that she is volunteering her time on the education committee.
The Construction Institute’s fall schedule of classes is available online at http://construction.org/?page=PEProgram.
Our major programs, focusing on current issues of importance to the industry, also offer CEUs. The first program of the season, Meet the Mayor’ Forum: A Discussion On Designing and Redefining Our Cities for The Future, will engage the mayors of New Haven, Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield, Connecticut, together with the mayors of New Rochelle and White Plains, New York in a timely, informative panel discussion on designing and redefining our cities for the future, led by moderator Melissa Kaplan-Macey, AICP, PP, director, Connecticut, Regional Plan Association. In addition to giving you engaging and timely content, programs offer an unparalleled opportunity to network with participants from all aspects of the industry, including owners, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, lawyers, accountants, and others who work in and support the industry.
Scheduled for September 29, on the Stamford campus of the University of Connecticut, the program is a collaboration between the Construction Institute and SMPS-NY Westchester Affiliate. For more information, visit http://construction.org/event/CIMayorsForum2016
Kara Gruss is the chair of the Construction Institute’s education committee, and is the director of marketing and business development for Babbidge Construction Co., New Haven, Conn.